Summer Days and Steamy Saunas: Cool Down with a Cold Plunge

The sizzle of steam after water is thrown on the hot rocks is a defining sauna experience

Summer heat and steamy saunas are both improved by a refreshing cold plunge. Although the sharp transition might cause some to squirm with trepidation, with a little practice you’ll soon find that the balance of hot and cold helps to rejuvenate the body and set your mind at ease. Guests on Lumi’s trips regularly enjoy saunas as a way to relax after a day exploring the trails, often followed by an optional cold plunge. Nowhere is this more true than on Lumi’s trips to Scandinavia, where sauna culture is a part of everyday life.

Finnish saunas come in all shapes and sizes

On Lumi’s Finlandia & Tartu trip, guests are treated to a variety of sauna experiences throughout the 11-day trip. With 3+ million saunas for a population of just 5.5 million people, Finland is undeniably the sauna capital of the world. From simple saunas in your hotel to modern lakeside options with relaxation areas and other amenities, you’ll have the opportunity to sauna every day in Finland after exploring its extensive trail networks. 

How serious are Finns and their saunas? Lumi’s local sauna host in Heinola, Finland, better known as the Aufgussmeister, recently built a new sauna along the waterfront and proudly gave us a sneak peek at its log design with traditional joinery. We look forward to seeing it in person and sharing it with guests later this coming winter.

Although it boasts fewer saunas per-capita than Finland, Norway is close behind and features some very unique sauna experiences. In Oslo, Lumi guests have the opportunity to indulge in a floating sauna experience right in the city’s frozen harbor. Enjoy views of the iconic Oslo Opera House before bravely leaping into the chilly seawater (optional, of course). Lumi’s Norway Sight-Skiing and Norway Birken trips both visit this special sauna during an evening in downtown Oslo.

Try a cold plunge in Oslo’s harbor after enjoying a floating sauna

Outside of Scandinavia, several of Lumi’s trips in central Europe include opportunities to sauna at your hotel’s wellness areas. Although you won’t be able to jump into a frozen lake afterwards, Lumi’s hotel in Cavalese on our Tour de Ski and Dolomitenlauf & Marcialonga trips features three types of saunas, including a traditional Finnish sauna (higher heat, lower humidity) and a steam sauna featuring lower temperatures with humidity levels approaching 100%. Their variety of sauna experiences, coupled with extensive relaxation zones and a heated pool, foot massage streams and frigidarium, allow you to recover after a day on skis. Your lodging in the village of Rateče on Lumi’s Slovenia & Italy Sight-Skiing trip includes daily afternoon sauna sessions, after which you can step outside and enjoy stunning views of the Julian Alps right from your doorstep.

Felt sauna hats help protect your head and hair from the heat of a traditional Finnish sauna

To get the most out of your European sauna experience, here are a few pointers. Traditional Finnish saunas typically run at around 150-195°F and are wood-fired. Electrically heated saunas can reach similar temperatures and are frequently found in hotel wellness centers due to their convenience and cleanliness. A typical sauna session runs for 5-10 minutes before you’ll want to cool off, although sauna regulars may stay for longer. In many sauna cultures bathing suits are optional; don’t worry, on most Lumi’s trips bathing suits are welcome. In hotels where suits are not allowed, ample towels are provided to cover as much as you wish. Want to sound like a sauna expert? Learn the Finnish pronunciation: rather than “sah-nah,” Finns say “SOW-nah.” 

Upcoming saunas are noted along Norway’s extensive trail network

Interested in trying a traditional Finnish sauna in Finland on your next cross-country ski vacation? There is still limited space on Lumi’s Finland & Estonia trip next winter. Sign up by July 31 and receive a $200/person discount. Other Lumi trips featuring sauna experiences also have space available, including Norway Sight-Skiing, Norway Birken, Tour de Ski, Dolomitenlauf & Marcialonga and Slovenia & Italy Sight-Skiing trip. Reach out to reservations@lumiexperiences.com for a detailed trip itinerary or to sign up. 

See you on the trail,

Garrott Kuzzy
garrott@lumiexperiences.com 
Founder, Lumi Experiences

Lumi’s Guest Communications Manager Nathan captured the auroras over his Finnish sauna

All smiles after a chilly post-sauna dip in Finland